Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders O.co Coliseum. Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is en route to training camp, after all.
Charles, who wasn’t present during the open media period when veterans arrived Wednesday, agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Chiefs, a source confirmed with ChiefsSpin.com.
The extension locks up Charles through the 2017 regular season.
While the source did not disclose financial terms, the deal calls for $18.1 million, which pays more than $5 million over the next two years, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.
“Jamaal is an elite player in the National Football League,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in a released statement announcing the contract extension. “It was important for us to keep him here in Kansas City long-term.”
Charles, a two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl running back, was set to enter training camp with two years remaining on the five-year, $27.97 million deal he signed in 2010.
Charles, 27, was set to earn a base salary of $2.65 million, which ranked 11th among NFL running backs, before the contract extension.
He comes off a 2013 regular season where he set career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,980), rushing touchdowns (12), total touchdowns (19), receptions (70), receiving yards (693) and receiving touchdowns (7).
Charles attended voluntary organized activities (OTAs) and the three-day mandatory minicamp. But reports surfaced Tuesday night of a potential holdout before Wednesday’s extension.
With a potential crisis averted, the Chiefs can re-focus on extending quarterback Alex Smith and outside linebacker Justin Houston. Both players enter the final years of their respective contracts.
The Chiefs started Wednesday with $9.46 million in salary cap space, according to NFLPA records.
